LONDON (Reuters) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Thursday it would postpone its decision on Caster Semenya’s appeal hearing against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) until the end of April.

South African 800-metres double Olympic champion Semenya is seeking to overturn a new set of IAAF regulations that are aimed at lowering the testosterone levels of hyperandrogenic athletes.

The IAAF contend that Semenya and other female athletes that are classed as having differences in sexual development (DSDs) gain an unfair advantage due to their higher testosterone levels, but only in races between 400 and 1,000-metres.

CAS have called the hearing “one of the most pivotal CAS cases” that could have a wide reaching consequence not just for the future of athletics, but sport in general.

The body had been expected to announce its decision on March 26, six months prior to the World Championships in Doha.

It said on Thursday that since the Feb. 18-22 hearing, the parties have filed additional submissions and materials. No specific date for the decision has been set.

]]>https://cinesilip.su/news/athletics-cas-delays-decision-on-semenya-testosterone-case/feed/0Athletic Assistance Fund ready to help abused gymnastshttps://cinesilip.su/news/athletic-assistance-fund-ready-to-help-abused-gymnasts/
https://cinesilip.su/news/athletic-assistance-fund-ready-to-help-abused-gymnasts/#respondThu, 21 Mar 2019 16:07:14 +0000https://cinesilip.su/news/athletic-assistance-fund-ready-to-help-abused-gymnasts/(Reuters) – Being told by a close friend that she had been one of disgraced doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse victims has spurred former United States gymnast Alicia Sacramone Quinn to begin working with the Athletes Assistance Fund (AAF). FILE PHOTO: Simone Biles smiles during warm-ups at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., August […]]]>

(Reuters) – Being told by a close friend that she had been one of disgraced doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse victims has spurred former United States gymnast Alicia Sacramone Quinn to begin working with the Athletes Assistance Fund (AAF).

Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics doctor, was sentenced to 300 years in prison after more than 350 women, including Olympic champions Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber, testified in court about being abused by him.

Sacramone, who won 10 world championship medals and an Olympic silver in her career, did not have any contact with Nassar during her career, but decided after talking to a friend who had been abused by him that she wanted to help the victims.

“One of the victims told me, she is not involved in any of the lawsuits or anything, but she told me it had happened to her and she did not want it to be public,” Sacramone told Reuters. “She confided in me. It had happened to her and she was trying to pick herself up and move on from it.

“That was heartbreaking for me because I have known her since she was little and for her to come to me it spoke a lot about our friendship and the trust she had in me.”

Sacramone now serves as a representative on the board of directors of the AAF that provides financial assistance and counseling for any gymnast who has been sexually abused.

Sacramone acknowledged she was not a qualified counselor but was more than willing to listen and offer support.

“If they are not ready to talk to a medical provider just yet hopefully if they talk to me I could point them in the direction to finding help using our fund to get them the medical advice and attention they need,” said Sacramone.

“I felt this was a good spot to help athletes who have been victims.”

The Nassar scandal, however, could just be the tip of the iceberg with many victims of sexual abuse by coaches and doctors remaining silent, according to AAF board chair Tina Ferriola.

“I believe there are far more out there,” said Ferriola, who is unable to divulge how many athletes they work with for confidentiality reasons.

“The mission of the Athletes Assistance Fund is to connect any survivors that suffered sexual assault within the sport of gymnastics with qualified healthcare providers.”

The AAF is providing a service that Sacramone said was not available when she was competing.

“During my athletic career I don’t believe any of this was available to athletes,” said Sacramone.

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“We just want them to know this is not something they need to shoulder alone.

“If we can eliminate the cost they don’t have to worry about that and that is one inch helping them move forward.”

(This story has been refiled to remove reference to partnership in sixth paragraph)

]]>https://cinesilip.su/news/athletic-assistance-fund-ready-to-help-abused-gymnasts/feed/0Team mates weep as Ichiro, baseball’s most prolific hitter, retires at 45https://cinesilip.su/news/team-mates-weep-as-ichiro-baseballs-most-prolific-hitter-retires-at-45/
https://cinesilip.su/news/team-mates-weep-as-ichiro-baseballs-most-prolific-hitter-retires-at-45/#respondThu, 21 Mar 2019 15:03:52 +0000https://cinesilip.su/news/team-mates-weep-as-ichiro-baseballs-most-prolific-hitter-retires-at-45/TOKYO (Reuters) – Ichiro Suzuki, the most prolific hitter in baseball history and an icon on both sides of the Pacific, retired on Thursday as his fellow Seattle Mariners wept, bowed and hugged him in a Tokyo stadium rocking with cheers. Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges to fans as he leaves the field […]]]>

TOKYO (Reuters) – Ichiro Suzuki, the most prolific hitter in baseball history and an icon on both sides of the Pacific, retired on Thursday as his fellow Seattle Mariners wept, bowed and hugged him in a Tokyo stadium rocking with cheers.

Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges to fans as he leaves the field in the bottom of eighth inning during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo March 21, 2019.

Suzuki, 45, made the announcement after playing for the Mariners in the second game of their Major League Baseball opening series in Japan against the Oakland Athletics.

His final at bat could hardly have been more typical: a ground ball out that he very nearly legged into an infield single with a full-bore sprint to first. The Mariners won 5-4 after three extra innings.

Those two games this year mark his 28th season as a top tier professional baseball player in the United States and Japan.

“I have achieved so many of my dreams in baseball, both in my career in Japan and, since 2001, in Major League Baseball,” he said. “I am honored to end my big league career where it started, with Seattle, and think it is fitting that my last games as a professional were played in my home country of Japan”

Suzuki, who started in right field in both games for the Mariners this week, has 3,089 hits in the U.S. major leagues and 1,278 in Nippon Professional Baseball. Those 4,367 hits are the most ever at the top professional level.

The 10-times All Star also set MLB’s record for hits in a single season with 262 in 2004.

He took Japan by storm early in his career, winning seven consecutive batting titles during his time with the Orix BlueWave before moving to the United States in 2001.

Ichiro hit the ground running immediately in the MLB, winning the American League MVP in his first year. At a time of suspiciously beefy sluggers, he was their opposite – wiry, skinny and perpetually in motion, always seeming to be two steps toward first base at the moment the ball left his bat.

He played the majority of career for the Seattle Mariners, and also had late-career stints with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.

]]>https://cinesilip.su/news/team-mates-weep-as-ichiro-baseballs-most-prolific-hitter-retires-at-45/feed/0Figure skating: Defending champion Chen takes strong lead in men’s short programhttps://cinesilip.su/news/figure-skating-defending-champion-chen-takes-strong-lead-in-mens-short-program/
https://cinesilip.su/news/figure-skating-defending-champion-chen-takes-strong-lead-in-mens-short-program/#respondThu, 21 Mar 2019 13:35:31 +0000https://cinesilip.su/news/figure-skating-defending-champion-chen-takes-strong-lead-in-mens-short-program/TOKYO (Reuters) – Defending world champion Nathan Chen of the United States took a commanding lead in the men’s short program at the World Championships on Thursday with a dynamic skate, while home favorite and Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu came in third. ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan – March […]]]>

TOKYO (Reuters) – Defending world champion Nathan Chen of the United States took a commanding lead in the men’s short program at the World Championships on Thursday with a dynamic skate, while home favorite and Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu came in third.

Chen, 19 and juggling training with courses at Yale University, produced a series of clean, crisp quad jumps in his playful and energetic routine that brought a rousing reaction from the audience at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.

“I felt great going up in the air, in the air, felt great and coming down,” said Chen, a three-time U.S. champion who took 107.40 points for a season-best score, outstripping compatriot Jason Brown by more than 10 points.

“At the same time I am really happy with how I skated today. It’s not a reflection of any other skaters, but I’m just happy with the way I skated.”

Brown, 24, was a surprise second with a fluid, clean performance that bucked current trends in men’s skating by not including even one quad jump.

“It feels amazing,” said Brown, who switched coaches this season to join Hanyu and Russian skater Evgenia Medvedeva under Canadian Brian Orser and whose eyes widened when his score, 96.81, came up.

“For my free skating I have the same goals that I had before, I just want to give it a try and I would like to put out another personal best.”

Japanese idol Hanyu, who returned to the ice after a four-month break from competition due to an ankle injury, performed a compelling but flawed skate that saw him double his planned quad Salchow.

“I couldn’t concentrate. After I missed my first jump, my mind went blind. I guess I was a bit rushed for the first jump,” the 24-year-old said.

Hanyu staged a comeback for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics after another ankle injury that kept him from practicing jumps until just before the Games, and fans are hoping for a similar miracle this time.

“I have a lot of experience in this type of environment despite not competing for the last few months, and I am not happy about the fact I couldn’t perform at my best for the short program. What I can do from here is to fix my mistakes and rest well,” he said.

PAIRS TRIUMPH

Despite a season blighted by injury, the 2017 world champions skated a lyrical, moving program for a season’s best 155.60 (234.84 combined), drawing a packed crowd to its feet with their clean jumps and gorgeous lifts.

“This has been a difficult year for us, we’ve had injuries and other issues,” said Sui, who laughed as Han pumped his fists at the end of the routine.

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“But our coaches and team gave us support that we were able to turn into strength.”

Russians filled out the rest of the podium with second place going to Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov after a regal but mistake-marred program that included the latter putting his hand to the ice in the wake of their Triple toe loop.

The World Championships continue at the arena north of Tokyo until March 23.

(Reuters) – Jockey Bryony Frost will miss next month’s Grand National meeting after breaking her collarbone in a fall four days after her victory at the Cheltenham Festival, the 23-year-old said on Thursday.

Frost, who last week became the first woman to ride a top-level Grade One Cheltenham Festival winner aboard Frodon in the Ryanair Chase, was injured after falling from Midnight Bliss at Southwell on Monday.

“Yesterday I went to see an extremely good specialist in Cardiff where my X-ray results have shown that I’ve fractured my clavicle,” Frost said in a blog for betting company Matchbook.

“I suffered a fracture previously which healed well under pressure. My body’s response from that fracture makes me positive for when I go back for my assessment in a fortnight’s time and a swift return.”

The Grand National meeting will be held at Aintree from April 4-6. Devon-born Frost had finished fifth on Milansbar in last year’s National.

(Reuters) – The U.S. Golf Association (USGA) wants professionals to feel comfortable questioning the rules, but the organization’s mission does not include engaging in a popularity contest, says senior director of governance Thomas Pagel.

A raft of new rules were introduced for 2019 and there has been vocal dissent from certain players, including American Justin Thomas.

The world number five’s latest outburst came three weeks ago at the Honda Classic, where he was unable to replace a nine-iron he had bent striking a tree on his follow-through.

Under the old rule, had an official deemed the club unfit for play Thomas could have replaced the club, assuming there was a replacement handy.

The new rule allows players to continue using a damaged club, even bending it back into shape if possible, but not to replace it during a round.

“You can just add that one to the list of rules that don’t make any sense,” Thomas told reporters.

“If you break or bend the club in play, I don’t see where the harm is in replacing it.”

Pagel disputes the new rule does not make sense.

“That rule used to be so complicated (determining) when a club was damaged, unfit,” Pagel told Reuters in an interview.

“We said let’s simplify it. You can start with up to 14 (clubs) and if one becomes damaged you’re not able to replace it.

“Justin and I have connected. I thought it was very positive conversation. I want to keep the nature of it private.”

The Thomas criticism followed what at times was a rocky rollout of the new rules in January, though Pagel says he expected growing pains after such a significant overhaul.

The first major controversy involved a rule banning caddies from standing behind players and lining them up toward a target.

PENALTY RESCINDED

An incident at the Phoenix Open where Denny McCarthy had a two-stroke penalty rescinded prompted the USGA and its joint ruling body the R&A to rewrite the rule in a matter of days.

Pagel said the rule as it was originally written was too unforgiving.

“That’s one of the things we learnt and went in and quickly changed,” he said.

Another change required players taking a drop to do so from knee height, rather than shoulder height.

This also was put under the microscope when Rickie Fowler at the WGC-Mexico Championship became the first player penalized.

Fowler was well aware of the rule change, but simply forget in the heat of the moment and took a drop from shoulder height so quickly that his caddie, who was zipping up a pocket in the golf bag, did not even see it.

The drop rule was introduced so the ball will not roll as far when it hits the ground.

Pagel said the USGA had expected “growing pains” given the scope of the changes.

“The first six weeks we had a member on site at every PGA Tour event,” he said.

“We’ve kept an open mind all along. Going back to last year, we acknowledged this is a lot of change.

“We want to have conversations with players and understand their perspectives.”

But that does not mean the players will always get their way.

“Governance is not easy but it’s a role we take (seriously),” Pagel said. “It’s not about a popularity contest.”

Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by Ed Osmond

]]>https://cinesilip.su/news/usga-wants-communication-on-rules-but-no-popularity-contest/feed/0Badminton: Denmark’s Persson banned over betting violationshttps://cinesilip.su/news/badminton-denmarks-persson-banned-over-betting-violations/
https://cinesilip.su/news/badminton-denmarks-persson-banned-over-betting-violations/#respondThu, 21 Mar 2019 08:56:15 +0000https://cinesilip.su/news/badminton-denmarks-persson-banned-over-betting-violations/(Reuters) – Danish badminton player Joachim Persson has been suspended for 18 months after breaching the sport’s code of conduct in relation to betting and irregular match results, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Thursday. The former world number six was found guilty of four code violations, including failing to report an approach to […]]]>

(Reuters) – Danish badminton player Joachim Persson has been suspended for 18 months after breaching the sport’s code of conduct in relation to betting and irregular match results, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Thursday.

The former world number six was found guilty of four code violations, including failing to report an approach to engage in conduct that would violate the sport’s betting rules.

The 35-year-old was also charged with not cooperating with a BWF investigation and not fully disclosing information formally requested by the governing body.

Persson has been banned from playing in tournaments as well as performing any administrative functions in the sport. He was also ordered to pay the BWF $4,500 in costs.

TOKYO (Reuters) – China’s Olympic silver medalists Sui Wenjing and Han Cong took the pairs skating crown at the World Championships on Thursday after a breathtaking free skate at the Saitama Super Arena.

Despite a season blighted by injury, the 2017 world champions skated a lyrical, moving program for a season’s best 155.60 (234.84 combined), drawing a packed crowd to its feet with their clean jumps and gorgeous lifts.

“This has been a difficult year for us, we’ve had injuries and other issues,” said Sui, who laughed as Han pumped his fists at the end of the routine.

“But our coaches and team gave us support that we were able to turn into strength.”

Russians filled out the rest of the podium with second place going to Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov after a regal but mistake-marred program that included the latter putting his hand to the ice in the wake of their Triple toe loop.

“In the free program it was tough and we had to fight for every single element,” Morozov said after their routine, which garnered a season’s best 147.26 for a total of 228.47.

“It was totally different to yesterday, we were struggling to get everything right.”

Third place went to Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert, whose dynamic program earned them 144.02 and a combined total of 217.98.

European champions Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres, favorites going into the worlds after an undefeated season, were only able to manage fifth.

Frenchwoman James collided with Italian skater Matteo Guarise during warm ups for the short program on Wednesday and fell after a botched landing in their routine.

“Worlds hasn’t been our best friend, I fell on the twist in the short program once and I fell on the triple Salchow before, but we know that each time we are getting stronger,” said Canadian-born James.

Cipres echoed her determination.

“I think we did our job today and we are never giving up. We won’t give up until we get the world title.”

The World Championships continue at the arena north of Tokyo until March 23, with the most-watched contest – the men’s singles – beginning later on Thursday.

Valanciunas paired a career-high 33 points with 15 rebounds and teamed with Mike Conley (35 points, eight assists) to help Memphis fend off James Harden and the rallying Rockets. Valanciunas corralled a miss by Conley before absorbing a foul from Houston center Clint Capela on the game’s deciding play.

That followed an MVP-caliber stretch from Harden, who scored 18 of his game-high 57 points in the fourth quarter before adding eight points during a 28-second stretch in overtime.

Memphis averted a four-game season series sweep against Houston, which lost for just the third time since the All-Star break. Former Rockets forward Chandler Parsons drilled two 3-pointers in overtime to keep the Grizzlies in control despite Harden’s efforts.

76ers 118, Celtics 115

Joel Embiid collected 37 points and a career-high 22 rebounds to go along with a late key block on Kyrie Irving as host Philadelphia averted a season sweep by Boston.

Jimmy Butler scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the 76ers, who have won six in a row overall. Irving scored 16 of his 36 points in the first quarter for the Celtics, who fell short against Philadelphia for just the third time in the teams’ past 20 regular-season meetings.

Al Horford scored 22 points and Terry Rozier added 20 points off the bench for Boston, which saw guard Marcus Smart receive a flagrant-2 foul and an immediate ejection less than a minute into the third quarter following a two-handed shove into the back of Embiid.

Raptors 123, Thunder 114 (OT)

Pascal Siakam scored 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Toronto to an overtime win at Oklahoma City.

The Raptors dominated the extra session, outscoring the Thunder 13-4 after letting a 19-point, second-half lead slip away. Oklahoma City didn’t score in the extra period until 31.5 seconds remained. Kawhi Leonard scored five of his 22 points in overtime, and Fred VanVleet finished with 23 points for the Raptors.

Russell Westbrook, returning from a one-game suspension and coming off a 2-for-16 shooting performance Saturday in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, helped lift the Thunder with 42 points and 16-of-29 shooting, including 5-of-10 accuracy from behind the 3-point arc.

Cavaliers 107, Bucks 102

Collin Sexton scored 25 points, and Jordan Clarkson added 23 off the bench to lead host Cleveland over short-handed Milwaukee.

Coming into the game, Sexton had been the first rookie to score at least 23 points in six consecutive games since Tim Duncan did it twice for the San Antonio Spurs in 1998. Sexton now has accomplished the feat in seven straight games.

Milwaukee dressed only nine players and was without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Mirotic. Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. The Bucks announced Wednesday that Mirotic will be out two to four weeks with a thumb injury. Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 26 points.

Heat 110, Spurs 105

Goran Dragic scored 22 points off the bench, and Dwyane Wade had a big basket and a steal in the final minutes as visiting Miami outlasted San Antonio to snap Spurs’ nine-game winning streak.

After trailing by as many as 18 in the third quarter and by 13 with 9:50 to play, San Antonio charged back, pulling within 106-103 with 2:05 left. With Miami on top 108-105, Wade stole the ball from DeRozan with 9.1 seconds left. Kelly Olynyk then converted a pair of free throws to cement the win for the Heat.

Dion Waiters scored 18 points for the Heat, who hold a 1 1/2-game lead on the Orlando Magic for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli and Aldridge scored 17 points each for the Spurs.

Magic 119, Pelicans 96

Orlando led from start to finish, pounding visiting New Orleans for its third consecutive win.

Frank Jackson was the only Pelicans starter to score in double figures, netting 14 points. Reserve Stanley Johnson scored a team-high 18 points off the bench. Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis did not play due to a family matter.

Bulls 126, Wizards 120 (OT)

Kris Dunn atoned for a late miss in regulation with a pair of 3-pointers in overtime, and Lauri Markkanen added a back-breaking trey with 32.3 seconds remaining to send Chicago to victory over visiting Washington.

The loss assured the Wizards (30-42) of a losing season and cost them a key game in their desperate quest to move up from 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Markkanen, the game’s leading scorer with 32 points, also collected a game-high 13 rebounds. Dunn had 26 points and 13 assists for the Bulls, who won their second straight after a five-game losing streak. Jabari Parker scored 28 points for the Wizards against his former team.

Six players scored in double figures for the Trail Blazers, including Seth Curry with 20 off the bench. It was the fifth win in six games for Portland.

Luka Doncic scored 24 points and Justin Jackson contributed 21 for the Mavericks, who have lost 14 of their past 16 outings.

Jazz 137, Knicks 116

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points in three quarters and Utah easily ran its winning streak to five games by rolling over host New York.

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Mitchell helped the Jazz get their latest win by shooting 12 of 20 and hitting five 3-pointers. Utah matched a team record by hitting 20 3-pointers.

Rookie Kevin Knox scored 27 points for the Knicks, who lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Mario Hezonja added 23 points for New York, which was without Dennis Smith Jr. (sore back), Allonzo Trier (strained left calf) and Noah Vonleh (ankle).

Victor Hedman scored 3:01 into overtime, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made a franchise-record and career-high 54 saves as the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Washington Capitals for the second time in five days, 5-4 on Wednesday night.

The old Lightning record for saves was 48, set by Ben Bishop in Jan. 19, 2014, and matched by Vasilevskiy on Dec. 13, 2018. Vasilevskiy was stellar at times, but he allowed Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov to tie the game with 52.6 seconds left in regulation.

The Lightning, though, prevailed for their sixth straight win — one game after clinching the Presidents’ Trophy with a victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Monday. Nikita Kucherov, the NHL leader with 119 points, scored twice during Tampa Bay’s four-goal second period.

Despite recording a franchise-high 58 shots, to Tampa Bay’s 28, Washington had its five-game home winning snapped and could not avenge a 6-3 road loss to the Lightning on Saturday.

Maple Leafs 4, Sabres 2

Auston Matthews and John Tavares each scored a goal and added an assist, and visiting Toronto held on to defeat Buffalo.

Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman also scored for the Maple Leafs, who won for only the second time in six games. Garret Sparks made 22 saves for the Maple Leafs, who swept the four-game season series between the teams.

Casey Mittelstadt and Alexander Nylander scored for the Sabres, who have lost eight of their past nine games (1-7-1). Carter Hutton was much busier than his counterpart, stopping 42 of 45 shots in Buffalo’s goal.

Canucks 7, Senators 4

Tanner Pearson and Bo Horvat both scored twice in three-point games while Loui Eriksson collected one goal and three assists as host Vancouver earned its third consecutive win in beating Ottawa.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom needed to make only 21 saves for Vancouver, which is on a 4-0-1 run and four points out of a playoff spot with eight games remaining in the regular season.

Max Veronneau, the prized product of Princeton University who signed with the Senators on March 12, put Ottawa on the board with his first career goal at 8:54 of the final frame. He was playing in his third NHL game. Anders Nilsson stopped 33 shots for Ottawa.

Jets 3, Ducks 0

Mark Scheifele scored an early goal, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 29 saves as visiting Winnipeg earned a victory over Anaheim to get some breathing room atop the Central Division.

Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers added third-period goals for the Jets (44-25-4, 92 points), who are now three points ahead of the Nashville Predators in the division thanks to their four-game winning streak. The Jets’ magic number for clinching a playoff spot was reduced to five points.

The Jets held off the Ducks despite playing without defensemen Nathan Beaulieu, Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey. Winnipeg defenseman Joe Morrow did return Wednesday for his first game since Feb. 14 after recovering from a lower-body injury.